The Simpsons is currently the longest-running American sitcom, animated program, and scripted primetime television series of all time but today it has lost some of it’s most loved characters. Harry Shearer, voice of characters such as Ned Flanders, Mr Burns, Kent Brockman and Seymour Skinner, announced via Twitter that he is to leave the show after more than 25 years. Although executive producer Al Jean claimed Shearer had turned down a new pay deal worth around $14m, Shearer denied his departure was to do with money, instead attributing it to an inability to do other work.

The 71-year old provided voices for some of the best loved character on The Simpsons and while Jean said the show would “go on” and the characters recast in a statement to the NYT, it’s going to take some getting used to. It’s widely accepted that The Simpsons hasn’t been quite as humorous as it was in the 90s. Although the show was renewed for two more seasons, with such a major departure as this, could this be major nail in the coffin?